After watching the likes of Pat White and Steve Slaton race up and down the field, launching West Virginia football back into national prominence, Silsbee High School (Silsbee, Tx.) quarterback Jeremy Johnson took notice. All it took at that point was an official scholarship offer from WVU.
“The team is fast, man,” he told EerSports.com. “They really run the same offense as us.
“I didn’t have any mind of going to WVU until I got that scholarship from them,” said Johnson. “The first mail I got was the scholarship. The second was like a book, showing all the records, all about the team, all the players in the NFL. I just fell in love with it.”
Johnson accepted WVU’s written offer towards the end of May, picking the Mountaineers over finalists Baylor and Michigan. He was also recruited by Missouri, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Purdue, Arizona, TCU, Southern Miss and Houston. The 6-foot-2, 185 pound Texas native is ranked the No. 81 overall athlete in the 2010 recruiting class by ESPN Scouts Inc and received a 77 scouts grade from the recruiting service. The thing that sets Johnson apart from many high school athletes is he possesses a blend of speed, elusiveness, arm strength and accuracy that formulate the ideal make-up of a dual-threat Mountaineer quarterback.
Pending his official signing in February, Johnson explained how he has high aspirations once he arrives in Morgantown: “First off, I’m going to come and bring a new beginning to the school and try to win a championship.”
And there is no indication Johnson may back out of his verbal pledge. “As of right now, I talk to different people, different schools,” he said, “but I’m really on West Virginia.”
He has not taken any official visits this fall, but is scheduled to take one to WVU, in November.
“I’m not going anywhere [else]. I’m just going to West Virginia,” said Johnson, who plans to visit Morgantown on Nov. 27, when the Mountaineers welcome in Pitt for the annual Backyard Brawl rivalry game.
WVU offensive coordinator Jeff Mullen has been recruiting Johnson. The two maintain regular contact over the phone. “We talk twice a week,” Johnson said. “He’s talking about really just staying up and playing well, about different progressions and football for next year.”
What caught Mullen’s eye was the way Johnson runs with the football, a style similar to what White once did as a Mountaineer.
“The coach told me the way I run reminded them of Pat White,” said Johnson. “Mullen told me he liked the way I throw. I’m a pretty balanced quarterback.”
Besides former greats such as White, as well as WVU’s offense, Johnson was attracted by the overall ambience of the program. “The colors, the tradition … everything,” he said.
With the expected additions of Johnson and fellow 2010 quarterback commit Barry Brunetti, WVU will have created depth at the quarterback position. Current true freshman Geno Smith earned the backup job behind senior Jarrett Brown; red shirt freshman Coley White is also still in the mix.
The positional battle for the starting job will heat up next summer, but Johnson is not worried about playing time and welcomes the idea of competition with open arms.
“We would have a competition anywhere I go,” he explained. “The skills I have, I think I can earn that spot. Depth is not the problem, it’s just staying healthy and being able to go to college.”
WVU’s coaches have informed Johnson of his status concerning earning playing time.
“They are going to give me a shot to play as a freshman,” Johnson said. “If I win it out, I win. If I don’t, I’m going to be the backup.”
Considering Johnson’s overall athletic ability, he was believed to be versatile enough to make a possible move to receiver or defensive back, by some scouts. However, he said he was recruited by most schools as a quarterback, which is or course his intended position once he arrives at WVU.
“The only school that recruited me as an athlete is Texas,” he said.
Johnson has been keeping up with WVU’s current team -- he watched the team play against Liberty, Auburn and Colorado.
Silsbee is off to a tough 1-4 start, but Johnson explained, “Every game we play, we lose by seven or three points.”
Through his first five games this season, Johnson has thrown for more than 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns, while posting three rushing touchdowns.
There are no players on the current WVU roster who hail from the state of Texas.
Jeremy Johnson ESPN.com Recruiting Highlight Video
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ESPN.com's Evaluation of Jeremy Johnson: "Johnson is a really fun guy to watch as both a dual-threat spread quarterback and also as a runner with a likely future as a wide receiver or cornerback. If he were three inches taller we feel he would be recruited exclusively at QB, but his lack of ideal height and bulk will limit the interest and the fact that he is a legit skill prospect will give me more opportunities with more schools. He is a gunslinging, scrappy player that really grows on you at quarterback the more you watch him because he has a live arm, can get rid of the ball in a hurry and has a quick release. However, he is also unpolished, raw and a bit unorthodox in his methods, but he gets things done. Ball really comes out with some zip and he has shown a knack for fitting the ball into tight spots underneath when he sets his feet, plants and follows through. He plays with a swagger and supreme confidence not only as an athlete, but also as a QB. He is creative and can get the offense out of trouble with his arm and legs. He is a guy that is efficient with his feet and overall accuracy is solid to short and intermediate ranges of the field. He shows excellent initial quickness in the pocket to avoid, get out on the perimeter and make things happen. He does a good job of keeping his eyes downfield while scrambling to find open targets at the last second and can throw back across his body. He will short-arm throws at times especially on the run. He displays excellent shiftiness and change-of-direction in the open field with good stop/start ability and can make multiple defenders miss. We feel he is more quick and shifty than he his top end fast. Speed is good, but not great. If Johnson strictly wants to play QB, he has to be in the spread to maximize his strengths. We think his feet, hips and ability to run and change directions is good enough to be considered a legit prospect at multiple positions. Good overall player that has some football smarts and competitiveness."